Electric circuit controlling device



Ja'n. 12,1932. WANNER 1,841,166

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed Aug. 11, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 12,1932. c, WANNER 1,841,166

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed Aug. 11, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /6 A; ,Afi /Z Patented Jan. 12, 1932 PATENT OFFICE EAR-RY C. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE I Application filed August 11, 1927. Serial No. 212,247.

My invention relates generally to electric circuit controlling devices, and, more particularly, to magnetically controlledtiming means for controlling the opening and closfiing of an electrical circuit.

It is the well-known practice to install flashing signal lamps at sharp curves along highways, at'the ends of bridges, at street intersections, railroad crossings, and the like places, to provide danger warnings. De-

vices previously employed to control such lights are inaccurate and unreliable in operation. been of such character that even slight variations in the position of the support, due to settling or impact or otherwise, either renders the same inoperative or its operation is changed to an undesirable extent. Also, such prior devices do not function properly "during all weather conditions with the result that the effect to be produced by the signal light is not produce I One of the objects of my invention is to provide a timing control device which is ackinds of weather, and which is simplein construction, highly efficient in operation over long periods of time without attention, eX- ceedingly cheap to manufacture, and which reduces the cost of maintenance and'operation.

Another object is to provide circuit contel-mined ratio between the on and oil periods or the duration of the cycle and the ratio of the on and oil periods can both be varied to adjust the mechanism to the-desired condionand ofi' periods can be changed while maintaining the duration of the cycle constant. l

The supports forsuch devices have curate and reliablein operation during all tions of use. Furthermore, the ratio of the mechanism in such a manner that it will automatically assume'and always remain in a properly aligned operating position, whereby adjustments, once made, are maintained and the operation will be positive and uniform in successive cycles under any certain adjusted condition. V

A still further object is to provide for opcrating the mechanism in a bath of oil that H will not change materially in viscosity over a wide temperature range, the oil serving to dampen the movement of the operating parts, and render the same noiseless and practically vibrationless in operation, as well as provide for continuous lubrication of the same and cooling of such parts by contact and by radiating the heat generated by the electrical parts. The oil also serves as an insulating medium, all of which tends toward maximum eflicienoy.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses and by reference to the drawings wherein,

Figure 1 is a wiring diagram, including a diagrammatic arrangement of some of the operating parts, for clearly illustrating the electrical operation;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of my circuit controlling and timing device, the moving parts and their supports being shown in front elevation;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2 and showing the operating parts in their normal circuit making position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the operating parts in a circuit breaking position; I

Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view takensub stantially on line 55 of Fig. 2.

I have shown and will describe my inven-- tion as'applied to the control of a signal flashing lamp. However, itis to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to such use since my invention may be used to intermittently control other devices, such, for example, as the motor fordriving a ventilating fan, and other instances, where it is desired to reduce the cost of operation by A further ob ect is to mount the operating the intermittent use of electrical current.

as it w we Referring to the drawings and, particularly to Fi 2, 3, and 5, I may employ a rectangular lcal*proot box 10 containing oil 11 in which the mechan'sm, which I will later describe, is adapted to operate. This oil is of such character that no material change in viscosity will ta re place over a wide temperature range, for example "rrom plus 100 to 20 below zero lhihrenhcit, or even a greater range. The be): 10 is preferably entirely filled with the oil, but it deiired, it may be partially filled without departing from my invention.

The opening at the top of the box 10 is closed by a cover 12 t 1 .ed uitable insulating mat l I u place to the outwardly et'rlendir "an O ot the box by screws 13, a suitable pac i being interposed between the lid and hot; hangcs to prevent leakage of the oil.

To support the be l() and the operating mechanism therein and maintain the same in a horizontal position so tl' t adjustments, once made, will be maintained, 1 freely suspend the box 10 by securing a suspension member 15 to the top of the cover 12 at its central portion. This member 15 is provided with an opening it" adapted to freely receive one end of the double hook 16 which has its other end il'jrecly engaging a central opening in the lower part of the terminal block 17, which. is, in turn. freely and swingably suspended by a double hook 18 from any suitable support (not shown). (lbviously, with this free suspension the box will always assume its truly horizontal position regardless of change in position of the support and the intended operation will not be interfered with.

The mechanism for controlling the flow of the electrical current and tor timing the various operations, will now be described. A Ushaped bracket 19 has base nmunted on the under side of the cover 12 with its legs extending downwardly into the bath of oil. A yoke 20 is provided with arms 20 which are swingin I, I i to the dcpcnding legs the ll or alter lb by screw members 21 and the yoae provided with a clip 22 which rcmoiuibly carries a mercury switch 23. This clip is preferably, removably carried by the yoke so that. ii" desired, adjustment may be made in its tive to the yoke will be more i hereinafter.

inc mercury s eh. coniprises a vacuum tube ha a lJl'CdCilQl'lllllIlQtl amount of mercury their 11 and which is sufficient to cover the contacts 2% and 24- in the legs 23* of u ".l is in circuit making pOSlbiOll. The wn port 20 may be such that tact w th its ol'iposite edges to p tion the tube against lon ztudinal mowuent; however, I do not desir to be limited to such construction as it is obvious that the width 23 conof the yoke member may be reduced or the tube legs spaced farther apart, so that the tube may be slid back and forth longitudinally to compensate, if desired, in making certain adjustments as will be readily seen hereinafter. A swinging member, which will be termed hereinafter pendulum, has one end 25 secured to the under side of the yoke 20 and the other end carrying a transv rsely mounted plate 26, and adapted to swing back and forth in the oil bath to move the mercury switch 23 to its circuit making and breaking positions.

The swinging movement of the pendulum is effected magnetically as follows: A U- shaped armature 28 has its base attached to the stem 25 of the pendulum at a convenient point with its legs 29 extending forwardly toward the magnet coil 30, so that both the north and south poles of such magnet coil are employed to operate the armature to swing the pendulum. The mercury switch and pendulum, once adjusted, are, preterably, held in an unchanging position, so that the pendulum will always swing to and from the same positions, whereby the mercury 23 in the mercury switch will always make and break the switch contact at a predetermined tilted position of the mercury tube. This condition is also affected by the amount of mercury in the tube.

The magnet coil 30 is carried at its opposite sides by depending straps 31 connected at a suitable position to the under side of the cover 12. This magnet coil is provided at its opposite ends with suitable cars 32 having openings therein for eccentrically mounting the coil upon the depending straps 31 by the bolts 33 which permits of the coil being swung in an arc toward and from the normal vertical position of the pendulum, as shown in Fig. 3.

The terminal block 17 is formed ol any suitable insulating material and is provided with terminals 84, 35 and 36 of a customary torn. As will be seen in Fig. l, the line wire 37 is connected to terminal 36 and also to one pole of the magnet coil 30 by wire 38. The other pole of the magnet is connected by wire 39 to the terminal 3%, which 1'3 is also connected by wire 40 to the signal lamp 27 which is, in turn, connected by wire ll to the terminal 36. The magnet coil 30 is connected through the medium of wires 39 and 42 to one of the contacts 24" of the mercury switch 23, the mercury switch, in turn, having its other contact 24 connected by wire 43 to the terminal 35. This terminal is also connected by wire it to the source to complete the electrical circuit, a switch 45 being interposed in this line to independently open and close the circuit. The wires leading from the terminal block 17 to the mechanism within the box 10 are of exceedingly flexible form and long enough to be doubled or curved upon themselves as shown in Fig. 2 so that re-.

gardless of the position of block 17, the box 10 will assume a trulyhorizontal position. This'also permits of handling of the terminal block 17 without disturbing the'mechanism prevents interference takes place, the mercury switch is tilted and the mercury 23 is spilled away from the contact 24, breaking the circuit and deenergizing the magnet 30 releasing the pendulum and permitting it to fall by gravity toward and into the position shown in Fig. 3. As the pendulum moves back toward its normal vertical position the mercuryagain connects the switch contacts 24 and 24*. Although this contact is made before the pendulum reaches its vertical position of F igure 3, the momentum and weight of the pendulum will carry it back to its vertical position. Thiscycle is repeated as long as the switch 45 is closed. The oil 11 dampens this movement, so that it is smooth and regular. By referring to Fig. 1, it will be 45 closed and the mechanism in the position as shown in, Fig. .3, the electrical current also passes through wires37 and 41, signal lamp 27, wires 40, 39 and 42, mercury switch 23 and, wires43 and 44 to light the lamp 27. As the apparatus is moved to the position shown in Fig. 4, as above explained, and breaks the circuit as above explained, the lamp 27 is turned off so that bythe backward and forward movementsof thependulum the lamp is flashed off and on. lVhen the apparatus is cut out of operation, by opening tho switch 45, the pendulum assumes its vertical position of Figure 3 and the mercury switch is in closed position and set for operation as the switch 45 is closed. I It will be seen that during each swinging action of the pendulum, andat a certain po-,

sition therein, the mercury 23 is spilled entirely away from the contact 24. This point remains constant, asabove explained, sothat the ratio between the on and off periods will be fixedand maintained for a given cycle. The duration of the cycle and the number of cycles without changing the ratio between the on and off periods. For example, assume that the mercury tube is so carried that the lamp 27 may be on 60 per cent andofl' 40 per cent of the cycle; and that the cycle duration is such that 30 cycles are completed each'minute, and it is desirable to changethe number seen that, with the switch I ture conditions with each successive per given'unit of time may be changed vibration.

ofcycles perminute while maintaining the,

same ratio between the on and oil periods to provide for increased attraction of the observer- In that case, if the. cycle duration is to be diminished and the number of cycles per minute increased, the coil 30 is i moved inwardly toward the armature 28, so

as to increase the effectiveness of the magnetic field whereby thearmature and pendulum will be caused to move forwardly more quickly but the mercury switch is operative at the same position to make and break the circuit and the ratio between the on and off periods remains-the same because the relative position of the mercury tube has not been changed. To increase the cycle duration and 1 decrease the number of cycles per minute,

the coil 30 is moved away, from the armature to decrease the effect of the magnetic field. and

cause the pendulum to swing forwardly more slowly, and, in this instance also, the electric switch is actuated a t the same point to make and break the circuit and the on and off ratie is maintained. If it is desired to change the point at which the mercury switch will break the contact,-agreater or lesser amount of mercury may be used in the tube 23, or

the tube tilted to the right or left from the position of Fig. 3 relative to its yoke support by suitably adjusting the clip, so that the pendulum must tilt a lesser or greater extent to break the contact. This same effect andadjustment can be made by bending the pendulum stem'25 forwardly or rearwardly to change the center of mass of the operatmg partsin a mannerwell understood. With this adjustment, the duration of the cycle may be maintained constant while changing the ratio between the on and oil periods or the'cycle duration may be changed while also changing the ratio between these periods.

From the foregoing, it willbe seen that I have provided a very flexible and efficient mechanism for carrying out the foregoing objects. The mechanism operates in the oil bath whereby it is constantly lubricated and the parts cooled. The oil also cools by radiating the heat generated by the coil and mercury tube, and further serves as an insulating medium between current-carrying parts of opposite polarity. The apparatus maybe used under a wide range of tempera-- cycle being carried out uniformly. It is very positive in operation and can be used under various operating conditions. The operating parts move silentlyand practically without If the viscosity of the oilshould change so as to vary the movement of the pendulum and undesirably tend to change 'the duration of the cycle,,the coil maybe adjusted to restore the desired cycle and maintain the same.

While I have shown and described but one embodiment of my in vention, I do not desire to be limited to the same because it is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of my invention as defined in the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. In electrical circuit controlling apparatus, a container having oil therein, a cover for said container, and circuit controlling means normally submerged as a whole in said oil and removable with said cover as a unit including a support on said cover, a pendulum-like swinging member pivoted to said support, a switch actuated by the swinging movement of said member, an armature carried by said member, and a magnet coil adjnstably carried by said cover in the line of movement of said member and armature and effective to continuously swing said member under control of said switch.

2. In electrical circuit controlling apparatus, a container having oil therein, a cover for said container, and circuit controlling means removable with said cover as a unit including a support on said cover, a swinging member pivoted to said support, a'switch removably carried by said swinging member and tiltable by movement of said member, another support on said cover and carrying an eceentrieally mounted magnet coil, an armature carried by said swinging member and operable in conjunction with both poles oi said magnet coil, and current carrying means leading to and from said magnet coil and said switch.

3. In circuit cont-rolling apparatus, an o cillatable member having a depending stem and a transversely mounted plate at its bot tom, a mercury switch including a tube mounted substantially horizontally on said member, a U-shaped armature having its base carried by said member, a magnet coil mounted upon an independent support, the legs of said U-shaped armature being attracted by both poles of said magnet coil, and

means for varying the position of said magnet @011 relative to said U-member legs to vary the effectiveness of the magnetic iield established by said magnet coil when energized to regulate the rate of movement of said swinging member.

4. In electrical circuit controlling mechanism, the combination of a container having oil therein, a cover for said container, a member having a yoke swingingly carried by said cover and having a pendulum carried by said yoke, a clip carried by said yoke, said clip carrying a horizontally mounted mercury switch, a Ushaped armature carried by and swing-able with said pendulum, a support on said cover, a magnet coil eccentrically mounted on said support and adapted to be adjusted toward and from said pendulum to vary the effectiveness of the magnetic field upon aid armature to vary the rate of movement of said pendulum and vary the cycle duration.

5. In electrical circuit controllim apparatus, a switch, a swinging member for control ling movement of said switch, an armature carried by said member, a magnet coil operative with said armature to swing said memher back and forth to complete successive cycles of operation, and means for adjusting said coil to vary the duration of each complete cycle, and means for dampening the movement of said swinging member, said means including a plate supported by said member transverse to its direction of swing.

(3. In electrical circuit controlling apparatus, a switch, a swinging member for controlling movement of said switch, an armature carried by said member, a magnet coil operative with said armature to swing said memher back and forth to complete successive cycles of operation, and means for varying the effectiveness of the magnetic field set up by the magnet coil to vary the rate of movement of said member and the cycle duration, said means including an eccentric mounting for said magnet coil.

7. In apparatus for controlling the operation of signal flashing lamps, and the like, a switch connected in series with the lamp and a magnet coil, a swinging member associated with said switch for moving the same to and from circuit making positions to intermittently light the lamp, an armature carried by said swinging member within the range of the magnetic field set up by the magnet coil, and means for varying the position oi said magnet coil relative to said armature to vary the effectiveness of the magnetic field and to vary the cycle duration while maintaining the ratio between the on and oil' periods constant.

8. In apparatus for controlling the operation of signal flashing lamps, and like intermittently operable loads, a switch comprising a vacuum tube having mercury therein adapted to connect and disconnect the contacts by a tilting action of the tube, a swinging member associated with said switch for eil'ecting said tilting action, an armature carried by said member, a magnet coil associated with said armature to swing said member, means separated from said member for varying the rate of swing of said member to vary the duration of each cycle of operation while maintaining the point of make and break of said switch constant, and means for cushioning the movement of said member, sa id means including a plate supported by said member transverse to its swing path.

9. In apparatus for controlling the operation of signal flashing lamps, and like intermittently operable loads, a switch comprising a vacuum tube having mercury therein :u'lapt ed to connect and disconnect the contacts by a tilting action of-the tube, a swinging mom ber associated with said switch for effecting said tilting action, an armature carried by. 7 said member, a magnet coil associated with said armature to swing said member, means for adjusting said coil to vary the rate of swing of said member to vary the duration of each cycle of operation, means for varylng the position of said switch relative to said member to vary the point of make and break to vary the ratio between the on and ofl'periods, and means for dampening the movement of said member, said means including a plate supported by said member, transverse to its swing path.

10. In apparatus for controlling the operation of signal flashing lamps, and like intermittently operable loads, v a switch comprising a vacuum tube having mercury therein adapted to connect and disconnect the contacts by a tilting action of the tube, a swinging member associated with said switch for effecting said tilting action, an armature carried bysaid member, an adjustable magnet coil having its poles both acting on said armatureto swing said member and means for 'arying the position ofthe switch relative to said member to vary the ratio between the on and off periods while maintaining the duration of each cycle of operation constant.

11. In apparatus for controlling the operation of signal flashing lamps, and like intermittently operable loads, a switch box having a cover adapted to be carried in a horizontal position, switch mechanism in said box and suspended from said cover and including a mercury switch and a swinging member to cause the switch to spill the mercury therein away from one of its contacts, said swinging member being adapted to move from a vertical position, a support for said box, and self adjusting means between said box and support to cause said box to assume and remain in a horizontal positionirrespective of movement of said support whereby the switch will be tilted to the same position in successive cycles to make and break contact.

12. I11 apparatus for controlling the operation of signal flashing lamps, and like intermittently operable loads, a switch box having a cover adapted to be carried in a horizontal position, switch mechanism in said box and suspended from said cover and including a mercury switch and a swinging member to cause the switch to spill the mercury therein away from one of its contacts, said swinging member being adapted to move from a. vertical position, a support for said box, and self adjusting means between said box and support to cause said box to assume and remain in a horizontal position irrespective of movement of said upport whereby the switch will alwa s be tilted to the same position to make and break contact, said means including a centrally disposed connector on said cover, and a hook freely engaging both said connector and said support;

13. In electrical circuit controlling apparatus, a casing adapted to be filled with oil, switch mechanism carried within said casing and adapted at all times to be submerged in the oil therein comprising a vertically-disposed member adapted to swing from and to a vertically-depending position, a support from which said member swingably depends, I

cal osition ositivel u on ener ization of said coil to open said switch and it swings by gravity back to its vertical position upon de-energization of said coil to again energize said coil.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

HARRY C. WANNER. 

